Two new items are up at Bob Sungenis’ site. The momentary happiness of the previous changes to the site has been dashed.

First new post is a long exposition on a three verse pericope of Romans 11. In case you hadn’t guessed, it’s another of Bob’s attempts to justify his position regarding “the Jews”. It’s also notable for the blurb that forbids any use of the text without Bob’s express written permission. The few small verbatim quotes below are, in my estimation, protected by the fair use doctrine. They are here only to demonstrate the basis for comments regarding his work. (Also Bob’s continued use of the Petersnet logo would weaken any complaint he may have for unauthorized use of intellectual property under the legal doctrine of “unclean hands”.)

The paragraph that begins with the words “suffice it to say” is the most important part of the lengthy piece. Bob says, “God has finally rejected the Jews . . . [t]his was such a major upheaval that most of the NT is centered on this one idea”.

Bob, I think the Tradition would support me in saying that the NT is centered on the Incarnation, the life of Jesus, His propitiatory sacrifice, His establishment of the Sacraments to convey the benefits of grace and His opening the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. I read the in the same letter to the Romans, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel: it is the power of God to salvation to all who believe, to the Jew first and then to the Greek”. That echoes the frequent comment in the gospels that Jesus was sent to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel, but that His grace was so great as to extend also to the gentiles – not that the gentiles have supplanted the children of Israel as the chosen people. I read in the Gospel according to John, “God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” No rejection of anyone.

Bob continues “[f]or God to reject a whole people is a very significant act, if not the most significant act in the history of the world”. Bob – the most significant act in the history of the world was the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the act in which He who was without sin overcame sin. This was an act of the God’s immeasurable love – not an act by which God rejected anyone!

The Second Piece “Established by Two or Three Witnesses: CAI Vindicated” is similarly disturbing. In it Bob takes quotes from a Jerusalem Post article as proof that the “Reflections” document is somehow meant to do numerous things, including establishing Israeli rule over all lands that were included in Solomon’s kingdom. (All this without giving any reason why, even if this were true, it would be a bad thing, but I digress.) The closest that the article comes to discussing any territorial claims is the following paragraph:
Sharon even received a positive response when he told the largely Evangelical crowd of visiting Pope John Paul II prior to his visit here in 2000. Sharon said that the pope told him that Jerusalem was holy to Jews, Christians, and Moslems. Then Sharon related, the pontiff added, "But it was promised only to the Jews."
So since Jerusalem was promised to Jews, but not specifically to Christians or Moslems, Bob concludes that the Church is working with the State of Israel to dispossess all Arabs! This when the Pope has often reiterated criticism of the West Bank Settlements. Bob, your credibility continues to diminish.

He then goes on to cite the Council of Florence’s condemnation of those who required Christians to observe Jewish ceremonial law and then, most alarmingly, an unspecified Council of Constantinople’s anathema. (There were three Councils of Constantinople. I was unable to find the quoted segment to place it in its proper context)

Bob – the clearest reading of your piece, in which you criticize the Pope for his statements regarding Jerusalem and the bishops for the “Reflections” document, is that you believe the Pope and the bishops should be excommunicated and anathematized. Bob, I’d suggest that you evaluate your position.